Concentration of CO2 in the Atmosphere
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Headline News:
- “TotalEnergies Starts 1.2-GW Texas PV Duo” • TotalEnergies started commercial operations of its 720-MW Danish Fields and 455-MW Cottonwood solar farms with battery storage in Texas. These new projects, with a combined capacity of 1.2 GW, are part of a portfolio of renewables assets totaling 4 GW in operation or under construction in Texas. [reNews]
 Solar farm (TotalEnergies image)
- “Serious Money – $43 Million – Behind 100% Wind Power For Cargo Ships” • The cargo shipping industry is finally returning to wind power after a long hiatus. Some maritime innovators even aim to bring back 100% wind power. One of them is the French startup VELA, which has just nailed a new $43 million round of funding to make it happen. [CleanTechnica]
- “Britain To Become First G7 Country To End Coal Power As Last Plant Closes” • Britain will become the first G7 country to end coal-fired power production with the closure of its last plant, Uniper’s Ratcliffe-on-Soar in England’s Midlands. It will end over 140 years of coal power in Britain. Slmost 30% of the country’s electricity came from coal in 2015. [Reuters]
- “How Floating Solar Is Carving Out Space In The Renewable Energy Landscape” • The idea of setting a solar panels out to float on top of reservoirs and other bodies of water seemed a bit exotic just a few years ago. But there are circumstances when a floating solar array is practical, even as conventional renewable energy could be developed. [CleanTechnica]
- “First Solar Inaugurates $1.1 Billion Solar Manufacturing Plant In Alabama” • First Solar started up a new $1.1 billion vertically integrated thin-film solar manufacturing facility in Alabama. It will add 3.5 GW of solar manufacturing capacity in the US and is expected to create over 800 energy technology manufacturing jobs in the state. [Renewable Energy Magazine]
For more news, please visit geoharvey – Daily News about Energy and Climate Change.
Headline News:
- “Electrify America Opens Thousandth Charging Station” • A couple of days back, Electrify America announced the opening of its latest large charging station. While a new station with a large number of stalls is welcome and news by itself, this station was even more special because it is the company’s thousandth charging site! [CleanTechnica]
 Electric buses in Montevideo (BYD image)
- “100 Electric Buses for Uruguay – Thanks, BYD” • BYD (Build Your Dreams) continues to help electrify the world. We have news this week that BYD has delivered 100 electric buses to CUTCSA, the largest transit operator in Uruguay. In South America, BYD has already delivered electric buses in Brazil, Chile, Colombia, and Ecuador. [CleanTechnica]
- “These Record-Breaking New Solar Panels Produce 60% More Electricity” • Commercially available solar panels convert about 20% to 22% of sunlight into electrical power. However, research published in Nature has shown that future solar panels could reach efficiencies as high as 34% by exploiting a technology called tandem solar cells. [WIRED]
- “Egypt: Renewable Energy To Supply 42% Of Energy Mix By 2040” • Egypt’s goals to have renewable energy provide over 42% of Egypt’s energy mix by 2040 were outlined during the BRICS Energy Ministers Conference held in Moscow this week. Egypt also targets to capture 5-8% of the global green hydrogen market by the same year. [The North Africa Post]
- “Puget Sound Energy Advances Renewable Energy Efforts” • In a significant development for Washington’s renewable energy landscape, Puget Sound Energy announced the commencement of two pivotal projects. They are a 124-MW solar PV project by Qcells and a 200-MW, 800-MWh battery project by Brightnight and Cordelio Power. [Microgrid Media]
For more news, please visit geoharvey – Daily News about Energy and Climate Change.
Headline News:
- “High Wind Speeds Boost UK Renewables Output” • UK renewables generation increased by 19% year-on-year in the second quarter of 2024 to 32.8 TWh, largely due to favorable wind conditions. Renewable sources accounted for a record 51.6% share of the electricity mix during the period, according to government figures. [reNews]
 Offshore wind turbines (ScottishPower Renewables)
- “Octopus Backs US Solar Duo” • Octopus Energy made two investments in the US solar market, with the company backing developers Circal and Zestec to create projects. The company said it marks the next move in its $2 billion plan for America’s renewables revolution. It comes just three months after it made its first green energy investments stateside. [reNews]
- “Hyundai Cooks Up A Low-Cost EV Battery Scheme For The Affordable EV Of The Future” • The cost of an EV battery has dropped like a rock since the early 2000s. A recent calculation from the US DOE’s Vehicle Technologies Office puts the drop at 90% for light-duty vehicles. Hyundaijust unveiled a LiFePO₄ EV battery project in partnership with Kia. [CleanTechnica]
- “Most Car Sales (54%) in China Are Now Plugins!” • Plugin vehicles scored a little more than 1 million sales in a 1.9-million-unit overall market in August. That’s up 38% year over year, and the second best month ever, while the overall market is down 1% year over year. Battery EVs were up 19% in August, while plugin hybrids jumped 78%. [CleanTechnica]
- “Oregon Opponents Block Offshore Wind Auction” • A planned auction of Oregon offshore wind leases was postponed after Governor Tina Kotek effectively torpedoed the auction plan. The US Interior Department’s Bureau of Ocean Energy Management delayed the offshore wind energy auction due to low bidder interest. [WorkBoat]
For more news, please visit geoharvey – Daily News about Energy and Climate Change.
Headline News:
- “Solar Levelized Cost Of Electricity 56% Lower Than Lowest-Cost Fossil Fuels” • Solar has taken center stage in global energy development as costs have fallen to record lows. IRENA, the International Renewable Energy Agency, reported data through 2023, noting that solar levelized cost of electricity has fallen 90% since 2010. [pv magazine USA]
 Solar energy (Michael Förtsch, Unsplash)
- “Renewable Energy Sources Now Provide Over 30% Of US Generating Capacity” • A SUN DAY Campaign review of data in two new reports by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and the US Energy Information Administration reveals that now over 30% of total US utility-scale electrical generating capacity is renewable. [Renewables Now]
- “Romania Unveils A 7-GW Offshore Plan” • The Romanian government published a roadmap to help realize a potential up to 7 GW of offshore wind capacity in the country, supported by the European Commission and World Bank Group. The plan was produced as part of the project “Internal energy market and energy transition in Romania.” [reNews]
- “Italy Deploys 4.2 GW Of Solar In January-August Period” • Italy added around 5 GW of renewable capacity, of which 4.2 GW was solar power, in the first eight months of 2024, according to Gestore dei Servizi Energetici, the Italian energy agency. This means Italy’s cumulative PV capacity reached 34.48 GW at the end of August. [pv magazine International]
- “Hurricane Helene Live Updates: One Dead In Florida As Category 4 Storm Makes Landfall” • Helene made landfall in the Big Bend region of Florida as a major Category 4 hurricane with 140 mph winds. Since that time, it has moved around 100 miles inland into Florida and Georgia and has been downgraded to a Category 1 hurricane. [ABC News]
For more news, please visit geoharvey – Daily News about Energy and Climate Change.
Headline News:
- “California Adopts Nation’s First Deadlines For Utilities to Connect EV Chargers To The Grid” • The California Public Utilities Commission approved a set of timelines to accelerate grid connections of new residential buildings, commercial sites, and EV charging stations. The decision implements the Powering Up Californians Act passed in 2023. [CleanTechnica]
 Volvo Electric Truck (Courtesy of Volvo Trucks)
- “New Standard For Measuring Offshore Project Emissions” • A “first-of-a-kind” methodology to standardize how the carbon footprint of an offshore wind farm is measured was published by the Offshore Wind Sustainability Joint Industry Programme. The Carbon Trust collaborated with twelve program partners to devise the methodology. [reNews]
- “Octopus To Invest £2 Billion In UK Renewables By 2030” • Octopus Energy has announced a £2 billion investment in UK renewable energy projects by 2030. The investment will fund new solar farms and battery storage. The company has agreed on deals for four new solar farms in Bristol, Essex, East Riding of Yorkshire and Wiltshire. [Energy Live News]
- “Falling Solar And Battery Costs Drive Record Renewable Investment, But Pace Still Short Of COP28 Target” • Despite a record $623 billion of investment in renewable energy in 2023, a report from BloombergNEF warns that it must be an average of $1 trillion per year over the rest of the decade to meet the COP28 goal of tripling renewable capacity. [RenewEconomy]
- “New Jersey Hits Pause On An Offshore Wind Farm That Can’t Find Turbine Blades” • The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities granted Leading Light Wind a pause through December 20 for its developers to seek a source for the crucial components. The project would be built 40 miles (65 km) off Long Beach Island and would consist of up to 100 turbines. [ABC News]
For more news, please visit geoharvey – Daily News about Energy and Climate Change.
Headline News:
- “This Chart Shows How California Is Massively Extending Solar Use Into The Evening” • It’s truly stunning to see how much battery storage is already helping to integrate more solar power in The Golden State. Solar PVs have reached 20% of the California electricity supply, and much of that charges batteries during the day. [CleanTechnica]
 Filled-in duck curve (IEA image)
- “Sany Launches 8-MW Turbines For Europe” • At WindEnergy Hamburg, Chinese wind turbine maker Sany has launched two 8-MW onshore models designed for European wind conditions. According to Sany, the models are the 7.8-MW SI-17578, with a 175-meter rotor diameter, and the 8-MW SI-18580 model, with a 185-meter diameter. [reNews]
- “Mysterious Magma In Extinct Volcanoes May Be Filled With Elements Needed To Power The Future” • A mysterious type of magma found within extinct volcanoes scattered around the world could contain an abundant supply of rare earth elements, which are crucial ingredients for EVs, wind turbines and other clean technologies, a report says. [CNN]
- “Havfram To Install Waterkant Turbines” • Havfram, based in Oslo, has signed a contract with Luxcara for the transport and installation of turbines for the 270-MW Waterkant offshore wind farm in the German North Sea. The agreement covers the vessel charter for transport and the installation of sixteen 18.5-MW MingYang machines. [reNews]
- “New York Joins GOWA” • During New York Climate Week, the State of New York announced it has joined the Global Offshore Wind Alliance. GOWA includes governments, international organizations and private sector companies committed to expanding offshore wind capacity globally and driving the transition to a clean energy future. [reNews]
For more news, please visit geoharvey – Daily News about Energy and Climate Change.
Headline News:
- “Cargo Ship Crosses Atlantic Ocean Using Mostly Wind Power” • The trouble with fast, modern container ships is that they use fossil fuels and emit a great deal of air pollution that is harmful to the planet and human health. So it was both captivating and exciting to see that a modern rather large cargo sailing vessel, the Anemos, was recently launched. [CleanTechnica]
 Anemos (Courtesy of TOWT, Ports America)
- “Hamburg 2024: ‘Offshore Wind Hits 76 GW'” • Ahead of WindEnergy Hamburg 2024, Clarksons Research has released a range of data points profiling the offshore wind sector. Today, 76 GW of offshore wind capacity is active globally, involving around 13,800 turbines and 327 wind farms. This is a 13% year-on-year increase. [reNews]
- “Parts Of The Sahara Desert Are Turning Green Amid Heavy Rainfall” • One of the driest regions on Earth is shifting green, as heavy rainfall causes vegetation to grow in the typically barren landscape. Satellite images released by NASA show pockets of plant life popping up all over the Sahara Desert after a cyclone drenched it. [ABC News]
- “Record Renewables Growth Fuels Cost Competitiveness, IRENA Report Shows” • Over three-quarters of renewable energy capacity added last year was cheaper than fossil fuels, a report by the International Renewable Energy Agency shows. Last year’s UN climate meeting set a goal of tripling renewable energy capacity worldwide by 2030. [MSN]
- “Tugboat Powered By Ammonia Sails, Showing How To Cut Emissions From Shipping” • On a tributary of the Hudson River, a tugboat powered by ammonia eased away from its dock and sailed for the first time to show how the maritime industry can reduce planet-warming carbon dioxide emissions. The ammonia is used to power a fuel cell. [ABC News]
For more news, please visit geoharvey – Daily News about Energy and Climate Change.
The Vermont Council on Rural Development (VCRD) announces the opening of applications for the fourth competitive round of the Climate Catalysts Innovation Fund.
In collaboration with VLITE, Vermont Community Foundation’s Sunflower Fund and others, VCRD is supporting innovators in developing solutions that move Vermont closer to its climate and energy goals. The first three rounds provided grants to 68 local innovators totaling over $200,000. A diversity of projects have been funded including support for a floodplain public food forest, frontline emergency preparedness kits, climate economy workforce training, e-bikes at local libraries, solar with back-up battery storage for a library community hub, and more. To learn more about projects that have been funded, see this interactive map(https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=1hYZMYKaTsamvUUwgpPXVJFiPSsR1eHM&usp=drive_link) and read the reports for Round 1 (https://www.vtrural.org/2022-climate-catalysts-awardee-report/) and Round 2 (https://www.vtrural.org/climate-catalyst-innovation-fund-2022-23-report/).
“This fund has provided leverage for 68 community projects to move from an ambitious idea to an implemented climate-based solution in their community,” stated Program Manager, Laura Cavin Bailey. “We are grateful to our funders to continue this opportunity, and look forward to supporting many creative applications again this year.”
Grants will range from $500-$4,000 and be awarded based on demonstrating a mix of addressing Vermonters in need, innovation, resilience, collaboration, and replicability. Eligible applicants include municipalities, town committees, schools, businesses, and non-profit organizations.
Applications will remain open until 5 pm Monday October 28th.
Learn more at https://www.vtrural.org/climate-economy/climate-catalysts-innovation-fund/ and contact Laura Cavin Bailey at laura@vtrural.org or (802) 234-1646 with questions.
Vermont Council on Rural Development
The Vermont Council on Rural Development (VCRD) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the support of the locally-defined progress of Vermont’s rural communities. VCRD is a dynamic partnership of federal, state, local, nonprofit and private partners. Actively non-partisan with an established reputation for community-based facilitation, VCRD is uniquely positioned to sponsor and coordinate collaborative efforts across governmental and organizational categories concerned with policy questions of rural importance. The organization has successfully completed over 90 community visits, resulting in locally defined projects like new childcare centers, wastewater infrastructure, downtown redevelopments, and more.
Headline News:
- “US Unveils $112 Million Fund For Wave Energy Projects” • The US DOE’s Water Power Technologies Office has announced a $112 million funding call for demonstrations of wave energy technologies. The funding is to be spread out over five years and will offer funding for projects under three topic areas. Funds are also available for related technologies. [reNews]
- “More Renewable Energy Records Tumble Across The Grid” • Renewable energy records continue to fall across Australia’s National Electricity Market. Rooftop solar hit a new high in New South Wales on the weekend, and in Queensland, a new peak for the potential amount of renewables in the state, factoring in curtailed solar and wind. [RenewEconomy]
- “Electric Aviation With Unlimited Range Is Getting Cheaper And Smaller” • The smaller the plane, the easier it is to electrify or even go full electric with it it. Once you get to unmanned planes and helicopters that carry a small sensor payload, such as a camera, you’re in a realm where all-electric aviation has been around for over a decade. [CleanTechnica]
- “Grenergy Expands Chile Battery Project By 1 GW” • Grenergy will expand its Oasis de Atacama battery project in Chile with two new phases through the acquisition of 1 GW of solar power, including a 1-GW energized line, from Repsol and Ibereólica. The operation comprises a 77-MW solar project and 923 MW of PV projects that are under development. [reNews]
- “What The Newest US Energy Jobs Report Says About Clean Energy Employment” • Renewable energy jobs are now over 40% of the 8.35 million people employed in the US energy industry, according to the US DOE’s annual US Energy and Employment Report published in September. Green jobs are key to reaching net zero carbon emissions by 2050. [CleanTechnica]
For more news, please visit geoharvey – Daily News about Energy and Climate Change.
Headline News:
- “Meet The Woman Who Lit Up Yemen’s Towns One Solar Panel At A Time” • Abs is a town in Yemen. It had been left with nearly no electricity due to the destruction of power grids during the ongoing war that began in 2014, when Houthi rebels stormed the capital. A woman named Iman designed a solar station that reduces costs by 65%. [The National]
 Iman Hadi Al Hamali (UN Development Program)
- “Europe Faces Radiation Threat: Ukrainian Energy Ministry Warns Of Possible Russian Strikes On NPP Substations” • The Kremlin is preparing to attack substations of Ukraine’s nuclear power plants. If this happens, the entire European continent will be under a radiation threat, according to the Telegram of the Ministry of Energy of Ukraine. [MSN]
- “Global Surface Temperatures Are Rising Faster Now Than At Any Time In The Past 485 Million Years” • Climate researchers at the University of Arizona and The Smithsonian used 150,000 pieces of fossil evidence in the latest climate models to find the average global surface temperatures for the full period of multi-cellular life. What we are seeing is new. [CleanTechnica]
- “US Solar Energy Soars Despite Chinese Competition” • The US is seeing record annual solar energy capacity growth, thanks to greater investment in the sector. The already rapidly growing solar industry boomed after the Inflation Reduction Act was passed and other favorable policies were introduced. This growth is expected to continue. [OilPrice.com]
- “Japan Can Raise Renewable Energy Share To 80% By 2035: Study” • Japan could boost the share of renewable energy in its electricity production to 80% by fiscal 2035 by expanding the use of storage batteries and enhancing cooperation on the regional power grid, the Renewable Energy Institute, a Japanese think tank, said in a recent study. [The Mainichi]
For more news, please visit geoharvey – Daily News about Energy and Climate Change.
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